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O’Connell, Jack

Jack O’Connell was elected to as State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2002 and was reelected in 2006. He had previously served in the State Assembly for the 35th AD from 1983 to 1995. He was elected to the 18th State Senate District in 1994 and served until 2003.

California's voters – both those who voted and especially those who did not – made their voices heard in the May 19 special election on Propositions 1A-1F.

But many politicians in Sacramento mistakenly seem convinced that the election results were a clear call from the people to focus solely on cuts to close our state's gaping budget hole. That would inflict a barrage of deep cuts in vital public services – especially education – upon which millions of Californians heavily depend.
Politicians in Sacramento missed the point.

Propositions 1A-1F contained a number of complex policy issues that failed to offer a clear policy direction to voters, leading many to be supportive of one or more parts of the package but not the entire package.

In the wake of the Governor’s failure to sign a budget that would make the state solvent in terms of cash flow, the Governor has made a number of proposals to find money. One of these proposals is to suspend Proposition 98, the minimum funding law designed to provide funding protections for our schools.

This proposal triggered a quick response from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell on Wednesday.

“The Governor continues to attempt to balance the budget on the backs of our students and our schools. Suspending Proposition 98 is a shortsighted approach that drops school funding into financial quicksand and will harm a generation of students.